Helmets a must only on national highway in Hassan

The Hassan district police have withdrawn the public notice making helmet mandatory for two-wheeler riders in Hassan district. According to the revised order, wearing helmet is compulsory only on national highways.

Those riding on national highway 75 (Bangalore-Mangalore Road), which passes through Hirisave, Channarayapatna, Shantigrama, Hassan and Sakleshpur in the district, have to wear helmet.

Ravi D. Channanavar, Superintendent of Police, told The Hindu on Friday that the earlier order making helmet compulsory was revised after going through the orders issued by the Union and State governments for implementing the Motor Vehicles Act.

“Though the Act says wearing helmet is necessary for the safety of riders, the State and Union governments have powers to frame rules accordingly. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways wearing helmet is compulsory on national highways,” he said.

Mr. Channanavar, however, has appealed to all two-wheeler riders to wear helmet, though it is not mandatory, for their safety. “Though we don’t impose fine for not wearing helmet on roads other than national highways, we insist everybody wears helmet for safety and to reduce the number fatalities in accidents,” he said.